A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bar Harbor vs. Montreal for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Montreal can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a cultural, vibrant, and colorful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Montreal travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Montreal than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Montreal is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Montreal is well known for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. Also, Montreal is famous for Notre-Dame Basilica.

How is Bar Harbor different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montreal and Bar Harbor. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Montreal is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Montreal that are not to be missed. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bar Harbor or Montreal? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Bar Harbor and Montreal.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Montreal has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is terrific for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Montreal is a must-see party destination. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is terrific for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Montreal is a world class music destination. The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Montreal is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Montreal is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is very good for the beach. However, Montreal is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Bar Harbor to enjoy the beach. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Montreal is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Montreal is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is very good for hiking. However, Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Bar Harbor. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Montreal is terrific for shopping. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Montreal is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Families?

Montreal is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Montreal is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Couples?

Both Bar Harbor and Montreal are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Montreal makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montreal is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is terrific for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Montreal is a very popular city for students. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montreal is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Montreal. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Bar Harbor or Montreal a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor and Montreal both are superb when exploring on foot.

Bar Harbor is very walkable. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Montreal is a very walkable coastal town. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

For even more information, also check out Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting? and Is Montreal Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

In either Bar Harbor or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Bar Harbor because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bar Harbor, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Bar Harbor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Montreal, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montreal that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Montreal.

One day in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Bar Harbor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bar Harbor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Bar Harbor is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Montreal, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Montreal is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Bar Harbor and Montreal, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bar Harbor Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 540 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Montreal, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor or Montreal?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Montreal in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Montreal. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as Montreal. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 69°F (21°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Montreal. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Montreal. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Montreal in the Winter?

Both Montreal and Bar Harbor during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

It's quite cold in Montreal in the winter. The weather in Bar Harbor can be very cold. In the winter, Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Montreal. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Montreal. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montreal for the activities around the city.

In April, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as Montreal. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In April, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Montreal. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Bar Harbor